Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (RX) Multiple Authority Announcement (MAA)

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is an overarching Multiple Authority Announcement (MAA) from the Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/RX). It consolidates various solicitation authorities to facilitate the release of individual solicitations for S&T efforts, progressing from basic research to technology maturation and transition. Individual solicitations will be released under this MAA and may be issued as Calls for Proposals or Open Periods, using either a One- or Two-Step format.

Solicitations will seek approaches covering one or more of the following Technical Areas:

• Photonic, Electronic, & Soft Materials: For advanced battlespace awareness, sensing, electromagnetic spectral dominance, and contested logistics.

• Manufacturing and Industrial Technologies: Supporting the defense industrial base, manufacturing processes, industrial base planning, and energy assurance.

• Composite, Ceramic, Metallic, and Materials Performance: Cradle-to-grave technologies for polymer matrix composites, metals, ceramics, material state awareness, and rapid response analysis.

• Integration and Operations: Facilitating innovation, regulatory compliance, collaborations, technology transitions, and secure cyber systems.

• Energy: Developments for aerospace efficiencies, digital engineering, drag/mass reduction, power generation/storage/distribution/management, and mission resilience.

• Contract Type/Instrument: Awards may be made via FAR-based contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, commercial contracts, Other Transactions for Research (OTR), Other Transaction for Prototype (OTP), Procurement for Experimental Purposes, or Technology Investment Agreements. Awards are anticipated to be Cost Plus Fixed Fee. Follow-on production contracts or transactions are possible.

• Estimated Program Cost: TBD per individual solicitation.

• Anticipated Number of Awards: TBD per individual solicitation.

• Anticipated Award Date: TBD per individual solicitation.

• White Paper/Proposal Due Date: NO PROPOSALS ARE REQUESTED AT THIS TIME. Individual solicitations will detail specific due dates and times.

• Communication: Industry days, RFIs, and conference engagements may be used. Technical and contracting POCs will be identified per solicitation.

• NAICS Code: 541715 (Research and Technology in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) with a small business size standard of 1,500 employees.

• Eligible Offeror: Solicitations are anticipated to be unrestricted, but small businesses are encouraged to propose.

• Foreign Participation: Foreign-owned firms must notify the Contracting Officer; restrictions may apply.

• Attachments: RX MAA Industry Guide is referenced for additional details on process, data rights, submission, and review.

• Modifications: Awards may be modified during performance for within-scope changes.

• Security: Program Security Classification, TEMPEST, OPSEC, Export Control (ITAR/EAR), and S&T Protection requirements will be identified per solicitation. DD Form 2345 may be required for export-controlled efforts.

Other / Unclassified

This document is an Industry Guide for the Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (RX) Multiple Authority Announcement (MAA). It serves to familiarize potential offerors with the MAA acquisition approach, consolidating various solicitation authorities under a single announcement to support a range of Science and Technology (S&T) efforts from basic research to technology maturation and transition.

This guide supplements information found in the MAA and individual solicitations, aiming to standardize proposal preparation and reduce barriers to competition. It details:

• MAA Overview: Explains the purpose and flexibility of the MAA, including the use of Calls for Proposal and Open Period solicitations, and one-step vs. two-step approaches.
• Solicitation Authorities: Outlines the limitations and applications of various authorities (e.g., BAA, Other Transactions, Commercial Solutions Opening) that may be used under the MAA.
• Maximizing Competition: Emphasizes the MAA's design to reach a broad range of industry partners, including small businesses and non-traditional defense contractors.
• Solicitation Variations & Process: Describes Call for Proposal and Open Period solicitations, and one-step vs. two-step proposal processes. It lists typical information included in solicitations.
• Data Rights: Details anticipated government data rights for technical data and computer software.
• Proposal Preparation: Provides instructions for preparing White Papers (for two-step solicitations) and full Technical/Cost Proposals (for one-step solicitations), including formatting, content, and submission requirements.
• Review & Selection: Outlines the criteria for reviewing White Papers and full proposals, emphasizing technical innovation and approach.
• FAR-Based & Assistance Instrument Requirements: Covers additional requirements for FAR-based contracts and assistance instruments, including specific forms and certifications.
• Other Transactions (OTs): Explains the process and considerations for OTs, including negotiation, intellectual property, and disclosure exemptions.

Offerors should prioritize information in the following order: 1) Solicitation, 2) MAA, 3) Industry Guide. The guide is updated annually.